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Thackeray dares BJP: Joint elections okay, but PM, CMs must lay off campaign
Mumbai, July 25 (IANS) Declaring his intention to soon visit Ayodhya and Varanasi, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said he was prepared to accept the ‘One Nation, One Election’ formula propounded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), provided the Prime Minister, all Chief Ministers and ministers keep off electioneering.
Justifying this contention, he said it was to ensure a level playing field for all the political parties, since after taking the oath as PM, CM or a minister, they represent the whole country and not just a particular group/party.
“My father, the late Balasaheb Thackeray, who first floated this theory, said it could ensure free and fair elections only if the elected representatives like the PM, CMs and ministers stay away from the election campaign. But, if you propagate for a particular party, then it is a crime in a democracy,” Thackeray said.
Thackeray’s comments came during his annual marathon three-part interview ahead of his 58th birthday on July 27 with Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut which was published as the 5,000-word final instalment in party mouthpieces ‘Saamana’ and ‘Dopahar Ka Saamana’ today.
He pointed out how, as per Election Commission of India (ECI) norms, all government servants are strictly barred from any kind of election canvassing, and if caught, are dismissed. “Then why not their bosses (ministers, CMs, PM) be also held responsible in a similar manner?”
The Sena chief wondered how the PM, CMs and ministers are allowed to make big announcements or blatantly use public money to lure the voters.
“The PM goes and says he will give Rs.1.25 lakh crores for some project. Can any leaders of any other political party say this? There are restrictions imposed on all parties during elections, but you splurge public money for five years, not earned by you but by the efforts of the taxpayersa This is not real democracy,” Thackeray said.
However, he said that if the present rulers are dreaming that ‘One Nation, One Election’ could be a great opportunity “to fool all the people simultaneously, then they are badly mistaken, as the masses are watching”.
Thackeray pointed out how, though Prime Minister Narendra Modi often speaks on the emergency and other global topics, he never discusses the Ram Temple issue, despite the BJP coming in power with a strong majority in the 2014 elections.
“Lord Ram’s exile is not yet over. The BJP said that work on the Ram Temple will start soon, but nobody really knows whena This means the ‘Ram Temple card’ will be played again during elections,” Thackeray said.
The Sena chief said he would soon visit Ayodhya, as also Varanasi – Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency – in deference to wishes from lakhs of people in north India, who wanted the late Balasaheb Thackeray to go there since the Shiv Sena had made many sacrifices for the Ram Temple.
“I shall go to Varanasi, Kashi, take part in the Ganga aarti and inspect ahow clean’ the River Ganga has now becomea I shall go to Ayodhya for a darshan of ‘Ram Lalla’, and pray at the temple,” Thackeray said.
He said details for his trip to Ayodhya, Varanasi and other north Indian regions will be announced shortly which would serve as an opportunity to boost the Shiv Sena presence there.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.